Kenya is home to thousands of dairy farms, ranging from smallholder setups to expansive commercial estates. As a cornerstone of the country’s economy, agriculture contributes over 30% to the national GDP. Within that, the dairy sector alone accounts for approximately 4%, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Data from the Kenya Dairy Board indicates that milk production forms nearly half of the nation’s livestock-based output.
In this article, we explore some of the most notable private dairy farms in Kenya—spanning family dynasties, foreign-owned estates, and innovative local enterprises. These farms are not only significant for their production capacity but also for their roles in genetics, sustainability, and rural job creation.
🇰🇪 List of Top Private Dairy Farms in Kenya
| Farm Name | Ownership | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Gicheha Farm | The Kenyatta Family | Ruiru, Kiambu |
| Gogar Dairy Farm | Hamish Grant | Rongai, Nakuru |
| Manera Farm | Claudio Palao & Pierluigi Maggioni | Naivasha, Nakuru |
| Makongi Farm | The Chesire Family | Soy, Uasin Gishu |
| Kapsuswa Dairy Farm | Mama Sarah Boit | Sugoi, Uasin Gishu |
| Gloucester Vale Farm | Jonathan Mayer | Kiminini, Trans Nzoia |
| Maakiou Dairy Farm | Mawara Investments Ltd | Kiamumbi, Kiambu |
| Loruku Dairy Farm | White Settler Family | Nanyuki, Laikipia |
| Kabarak Dairies | The Moi Family | Rongai, Nakuru |
| Nyagatugu Dairy Farm | Private Ownership | Maragua, Murang’a |
| Livestock Dynasties | George Ngugi Karungo | Ruiru, Kiambu |
| Nai’posha Dairy Farm | The Gathecha Family | Naivasha, Nakuru |
🐄 1. Gicheha Dairy Farm – The Kenyatta Family
Located in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Gicheha Farm is part of the vast Northlands City development. Spanning over 2,000 acres, it is among the country’s largest dairy operations. The farm supplies milk directly to the nearby Brookside Dairy plant—also associated with the Kenyatta family. A sister farm in Nakuru focuses on beef cattle. Water supply is secured by Sukari Dam, which is fed by the Kamiti River.
🐄 2. Gogar Dairy Farm – The Hamish Grant Family
Located in Rongai, Nakuru, Gogar is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest dairy farms, covering about 5,000 acres. Established just before 1915, it introduced Ayrshire cattle to Kenya. The farm played a key role in shaping modern dairy genetics in the country. Milk from Gogar is supplied to Brookside following Ilara’s acquisition. It sources water from the Molo River.
🐄 3. Manera Dairy Farm – Claudio Palao & Pierluigi Maggioni
This 1,400-acre farm near Naivasha sits along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway. Originally part of the Delamere Estates, it now operates under Claudio Palao and her Italian husband. In addition to milk production, Manera houses a vocational training school for equipment operators. It draws water from the Malewa River and nearby springs.
🐄 4. Makongi Farm – The Chesire Family
Located in Soy, Uasin Gishu, Makongi spans 1,000 acres on the slopes of the Cherangany Hills. The farm was founded in 1912 and bought by Reuben Chesire in 1971 at just 30 years old. Known as “The Home of the Ayrshires,” Makongi enjoys steady water supply from a massive on-site dam and is celebrated for quality breeding stock.
🐄 5. Kapsuswa Dairy Farm – Mama Sarah Boit
Located 20 km from Eldoret, this 1,200-acre farm is run by Sarah Boit, a non-executive director of the Kenya Dairy Board. About 70% of the land is used for maize, while 30% supports dairy. As of 2018, the farm had over 400 cows producing more than 3,000 liters of milk daily. The Boit family acquired the farm in 1994, and it has a five-decade legacy under various owners.
🐄 6. Gloucester Vale (Bubayi) – Jonathan Mayer
Located in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia, Gloucester Vale (also known as Bubayi) covers 850 acres. Established in 1963, it supplies large volumes of milk to Bio Foods Ltd. This regenerative farm also produces high-quality seeds via the Bubayi Mbegu Plus project. It is recognized for empowering smallholder farmers. The property uses adjacent wetlands and dams for sustainable irrigation. At the foothills of the Mount Elgon within Trans Nzoia is the Gloucester Vale Farm also known as Bubayi. Associated with the Jonathan Mayer family, this 850-acre dairy farm ranks high among the most productive dairy farms in the country.
🐄 7. Maakiou Dairy Farm – Mawara Investments Ltd
Situated in Kiamumbi, Kiambu County, this 300-acre farm (partly used for coffee) was originally owned by a Greek couple and acquired in the 1970s. Operated by Mawara Investments, the farm is powered by water from the Riara River and the Maakiou Dam. Although its exact output remains private, it contributes steadily to Kiambu’s dairy market.
🐄 8. Loruku Dairy Farm – Private White Family
Tucked near Nanyuki along the slopes of Mt. Kenya, Loruku is known for elite dairy genetics. Its bulls—like Nandos and Etro—are registered with Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC). Although low-profile, the farm is believed to produce thousands of liters daily. The area’s climate and access to clean water make it ideal for high-performance dairy breeding.
🐄 9. Kabarak Dairies – The Moi Family
Located off the Nakuru–Eldama Ravine road, Kabarak Dairies is home to one of Kenya’s largest Guernsey cow herds. Acquired by the Moi family in the late 1970s, the farm leverages boreholes, Chemususu Dam, and the Molo River for water. In 2023, the farm’s Guernsey Supreme Champion won top national honors. Milk sells at KSh 100–150 per liter due to its high quality.
🐄 10. Nyagatugu Dairy Farm – Private Ownership
Positioned along the Kenol–Murang’a Road in Mitubiri, this 200-acre farm is said to produce over 40,000 liters of milk per day. It relies on fresh water from the Aberdare catchment area. While its ownership remains undisclosed, the farm is known for excellence in calf rearing, fodder production, and large-scale commercial milking.
🐄 11. Livestock Dynasties – George Ngugi Karungo
Located near Tatu City, Ruiru, Livestock Dynasties (formerly Elite Dairies) operates on 3 acres under a zero-grazing system. As of 2021, it had over 1,500 cows, with 300 in active milk production yielding 5,000 liters daily. The farm also breeds dairy goats and keeps ornamental birds. It benefits from proximity to national water treatment systems.
🐄 12. Nai’posha Dairy Farm – The Gathecha Family
Initially based in Ichaweri, Gatundu, this farm now operates near Naivasha. It once housed 300 dairy cows but now maintains about 150 due to rising feed costs. To reduce costs, the farm grows its own feed on 70 acres along Kinangop Road. It mainly raises Holsteins and relies on water harvesting systems. Its name “Nai’posha” is derived from the Maasai term for Lake Naivasha—meaning “the land of choppy waters.”
🐄 Other Notable Farms:
- Chego Farm – Uasin Gishu
- Meved Dairy Farm – Sagana
- Kuzuri Dairy Farm – Murang’a
- Pokea Farm – Njoro
- Joy Farm – Lanet
